IMFUFA seminar den 16.02.12
Modelling foraging behaviour in the aquatic insect predator Notonecta maculata. V/ André Gergs. (ENSPAC, RUC)
Predation by the backswimmer Notonecta maculata is considered to significantly alter dynamics and diversity of aquatic communities.
However, predation rates vary with a number of factors including prey size, prey density, predator instar or light regime. Modelling the foraging process along a general predation cycle rather than using classic functional response curves allowed for the analysis of those factors on several components of predation behaviour. In order to make long term predictions on the impact of Notonecta predation on Daphnia magna laboratory populations, an individual based model (IBM) was developed that takes into account environmental conditions as well as ontogenic changes in both predator and prey characteristics.
The IBM was parameterized on the basis of behavioural observations and was subsequently evaluated using independent data on functional response and size selectivity of the predator. Application of the model in the context of ecotoxicology, along with experimental data, demonstrated that chemical exposure might be a tipping point in the dynamics of populations that are under predation stress.
Seminaret afholdes den 16.02.12 i bygning 27.1, lokale I fra kl. 13.00 - 15.00
Arrangør: Tage Christensen